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I think we can all agree that autumn in Vermont is unequivocally beautiful, right? Basically, the perfect backdrop for perfectly rustic, laid-back New England nuptials. Think warm hued flowers from Ellen Synder Design, maple cupcakes from Mix Cupcakerie, family farms, and a bottle of Harpoon or Long Trail in hand. Christian Arthur Photography was there to capture the day. See it all here!

From the Bride… Our wedding was set on the property of Tyson’s great aunt’s home adjacent to Billings Farm and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park in Woodstock, VT, four generations of his family have called this town home (and the his parents were married on the property affectionately called “The Yellow House” in 1983). Fiddleheads, button stems, browns and tans highlighted by the beautiful golden and orange hues of Vermont foliage all came together for our wedding day in September. It was Vermont in every way from the mason jars to the fall colors and Harpoon and Long Trail ales — even one of the cupcakes was maple flavored.

The ceremony was outside in the gardens surrounded by a white picket fence under a lovely archway. Everyone stood around with a drink in hand to watch (to keep it fun and casual). We also danced/walked in together to Mmmm Bop, a favorite song of ours. The cocktail hour with lawn games (and Colgate baggo boards representing our alma mater!) was also outside on the banks of the Ottauquechee River and the stations-style dinner was served under a tent. We also wanted to represent our casual style and therefore, had a cocktail-style stations dinner (no assigned seating, various tables of different sizes and configurations spread amongst the tent) so we could maximize the socializing, noshing, drinking and dancing, and spend more time hanging out with the people we care about! It was great fun and was definitely an inspiration for us!

The location was an easy choice with the Seely family history surrounding us and beautiful customizable location. We loved the walkable community (especially as a PhD candidate in planning and public policy) and really wanted everyone to walk as many places as possible throughout the weekend, so it made Woodstock a great fit (people walked to the rehearsal, wedding, after party, golf, hotels). We also love the charming town near where we lived together after college at Colgate and near our graduate school of Dartmouth. In addition to Tyson’s parents, several of Tyson’s aunts and uncles have also been married there along with cousins, so the property has many memories. We also wanted to be married in a state where we, our friends, and our family, are all afforded the same rights to marry whomever we choose.

The bridesmaids wore brown dresses of their own choosing and the groomsmen wore different brown ties, navy blazers and khakis (also of their own choosing) to give the look a cohesive but not cookie-cutter feel. The florals had button stems and faux fiddleheads my sister made which were unique, funky, and fun and the florist did an incredible job working them into her design. The buttons and fiddleheads are now in a vase in our home. They complimented the hand-made card box my mother made with burlap and lace. The centerpieces, also made by sister, were sticks tied with gems in vases of water with floating candles on top and gave a rustic Vermont feel in addition to beautiful additional light in and around the tent. We served drinks from mason jars to give the event a rustic vibe and the linens were beige to allow the beautiful foliage to stand out. The cupcakes and stations were set on rustic pieces of wood and birch logs to add to the feel. Wooden handmade signs (by Tyson) were placed around the property to direct people. The platform we got married on was made from Advantech Wood (a JM Huber product, of which Tyson is a 5th generation family member of the private owned-family company) and was handmade by Tyson’s dad with the words “Lifetime Guarantee” from the wood left unpainted for us to stand on. We used “I do” and “me too” forks and wore “just married” sunglasses after the ceremony and in Colgate University tradition, the last song of the night was “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra.